Metal framed wood container



Nov. 12, 1946. WII-SON 2,411,121

METAL FRAMED WOOD CONTAINER Filed Sept. 11, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet l METALFRAMED WOOD CONTAINER Filed Sept. 11, 1944 2 SheetsSheet 2 I, II

Patented Nov. 12, 1946 METAL FRAMED WOOD CONTAINER James E. Wilson,Detroit, Mich., assignor, by direct and mesne assignments, of one-fourthto George C. Knight, Detroit, Mich, and onefourth to Delos G. SmithApplication September 11, 1944, Serial No. 553,547

8 Claims. 1

The present invention relates generallyto containers. More particularlythe invention relates to that type of container which is primarilydesigned or adapted for use in shipping or transporting articles, suchas bottles, and comprises in addition to wooden bottom, side and endWalls, a metallic box-like frame structure in the form of a rectangularangle bar lower frame, a rectangular angle bar upper frame, and fourangle bar uprights between the corners of the two frames.

One object of the invention is to provide a container of this type whichis an improvement upon, and has certain advantages over, previouslydesigned containers and is characterized by the fact that it isextremely rigid and durable and in addition is so designed andconstructed that it may be produced or fabricated at a comparatively lowcost.

Another object of the invention is to provide a container of theaforementioned type and character in which the metallic frame structureis so designed and constructed that it may be pped to the user of thecontainer in knockedof the uprights and are bent inwards into a.position wherein they abut against the inner faces of the uprights andare held in place by the end portions of the wooden side walls.

A further object of the invention is to provide a container of the typeand character last menthe frame structure have continuous outstruck ribswhich straddle the external portions of the clips and serve to retain orlock the clips against vertical displacement relatively to the framestructure.

A still further object of the invention'is to provide a container whichis generally of new and improved construction and effectively andeificiently fulfills its intended purpose.

Other objects of the invention and the various advantages andcharacteristics of the present container will be apparent from aconsideration of the following detailed description.

The invention consists in the several novel fi tioned in which the lowerand upper frames of features which are hereinafter set forth and aremore particularly defined by claims at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawings which accompany and form a part of this specification ordisclosure and in which like numerals of reference denote correspondingparts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a container embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the metallic box-like framestructure of the container beforeconnection or assembly of the variousparts thereof;

Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal section of the-containerillustrating in detail the manner in which the lower margins of thewooden end walls are interlocked with the end margins of the containerbottom wall;

Figure 4 is an enlarged horizontal section of one corner of thecontainer illustrating the manner in which the right angle clips servefixedly to connect the corner portions of the upper and lower frames tothe ends of the uprights;

Figure 5 is another enlarged horizontal section showing the manner inwhich the clips are inserted into place prior to bending of the endsthereof and mounting of the side and end walls of the container;

Figure 6 is an enlarged vertical section of the upper portion of thecontainer showing the manner in which the inwardly extending flange ofthe upperframe is bent downwards into interlocked relation with theupper margins of the side and end walls in order to lock such wallsagainst vertical displacement with respect to the frame structure; and

Figure 7 is'a perspective of the bottom wall of the container. V

The container which is shown in the drawings constitutes the preferredform or embodiment of the invention. It has general capabilities of usealthough it is primarily designed or adapted for use in shipping ortransporting articles, such as bottles. As its component parts thecontainer comprises a metallic box-like frame structure Ill, a bottomwall II, a pair of side walls 12 and a pair of end walls I3.

The frame structure is designed and adapted to be shipped to the user ofthe container in knocked down form and assembled by the user preparatoryto use. It is box-like so far as general contour is concerned andconsists of a rectangular angle bar lower frame 14, a rectangular anglebar upper frame l5, and four angle bar uprights it. The lower. frame Mis formed by a single strip of stamped sheet metal and embodies aninwardly extending horizontal flange M and an upwardly or verticallyextending flange I l As shown in the drawings the flange 14 is formedintegrally with the outer margin of the inwardly extending horizontalflange 14 The lower frame I4 is formed by first forming triangularcutouts in the portions of the horizontal flange M that are adjacent thecorners I of the frame. Thereafter the angle bar strip of which theframe 14 is formed is bentat right angles adjacent each of thetriangular cutouts with the exception of the cutouts that are at theends of the strip. The horizontal flange M of the lower frame M isprovided with a continuous down struck rib I? and this is disposedmidway between the inner and outer margins of the flange M and serves asa supporting medium for the container as a whole. The verticallyextending flange M of the lower rectangular angle bar frame M isprovided with a continuous outstruck upper rib l8 and a continuousoutstruck lower rib E9. The last mentioned ribs are spaced a smalldistance apart and together with the continuous down struck rib I! serveto reenforce the lower frame M. The rectangular angle bar upper frame isthe same in size as the lower frame [4 and is disposed directly abovethe latter. It is formed of a single angle bar type stamped sheet metalstrip and embodies an inwardly extending flange l5 and a verticallyextending flange 15 The vertically extending flange I5 is formedintegrally with, and depends from, the outer margin of the inwardlyextending flange l5 and is in vertical alignment with the verticallyextending flange N of the lower frame Hi. The upper frame I5 is formedby first providing triangular cutouts in the portions of the inwardlyextending .flange l5 that are disposed adjacent the corners of the upperframe. Thereafter the angle bar type stamped sheet metal strip of whichthe upper frame is formed is bent atright angles adjacent each of thetriangular cutouts with the exception of the cutouts that are at theends of the strip.. As shown in Figure 2, thefree ends of the upperframe H) are disposed diagonally opposite the free ends of the lowerframe id in order that the frame structure In as a whole has maximumstrength or rigidity. The vertically extending flange I5 of the upperframe l5'is provided with a continuous outstruck upper rib- 26 and acontinuous outstruck lower rib 2|. These two ribs are spaced apart acomparatively small distance and serve as a reenforcing medium orinstrumentality for the upper frame. The four angle bar uprights ,I 6are formed of sheet metal stampings and extend between, and servevertically to space, the lower and upper frames 14 and I5. They arelocated at the corners of the two frames and consist of flanges [6 and I6 The flanges IE3 of the uprights extend lengthwise of the container andthe flanges lB extend transversely of the container and are disposed atright angles to the flanges its. The lower, ends of the angle baruprights fit within the corners of the vertically extending flange M ofthe lower frame I l and are secured in place by right angle metallicclips 22 and the upper .ends of the uprights fit within the corners ofthe vertically extending flange W of the upper frame l5 and are securedin place by right angle metallic clips 23. The clips 22 extend aroundthe corners of theiivertically extending flange l of the lower frame andare provided at the ends thereof with extensions 22*. The latter extendthrough aligned slots 24 in the corners of the vertically extendingflange 14 of the lower frame and the lower ends of the uprights l6 andare bent inwards towards one another so that they fit flatly against theinner faces of the lower ends of the upright flanges as shown in Figure4. Before the clips are inserted into place the extensions 22. arearranged in parallel relation as shown in Figure 2. After the clips areshifted into place by inserting the extensions 22 through the alignedslots 2 the extensions are bent inwards into their operative positionwith the result that the clips serve rigidly to connect the lower endsof the uprights to the corners of the vertically extending flanges M ofthe lower frame l4. Preferably the clips are formed of sheet metalstampings. As shown in the drawings, the clips 22 fit between theoutstruck ribs l8 and 19 with the result that such ribs hold the clipsagainst vertical displacement with respect to the frame.

The clips 23 for connecting the upper ends of the uprights IE to thecorners of the vertically extending flange l5 of the upper frame 15 arethe same in design and-construction as the clips 22.

They fit around the central portions of the corners of said flange 15and embody at the ends thereof extensions 23 hich extend throughregistering or aligned slots 25 in the corners of the flange l5 and theupper ends of the uprights l6 and are bent towards one another so thatthey fit flatly against the inner faces of the upper ends of the flangesof the uprights. Before shifting of the clips 23 into their operativeposition the extensions 23 are disposed in parallel relation as shown inFigures 2 and'5 in order that they may pass freely through the alignedslots 25.

After shift of the clips 23 into place the extensions 23 are bentinwards into their operative position by any suitable tool. The exteriorof the portions of the clips fit between, and are straddled by, theoutstruck ribs 20 and 2! on the vertically extending flange l5b of theframe 15 and are thus held by such ribs against vertical displacementwith respect to the frame. When the frame structure is in its assembledposition it is rigid. For purposes of reenforcement each upright flangeof each upright is provided with a pair of laterally spacedsubstantially full length outstruck ribs i6.

The bottom, side and end Walls ll, l2 and 13 are preferably formed ofwood and together with the frame structure Ill complete the container.

The bottom wall II is shaped conformably to, and fits within, thevertically extending flange l of the lower rectangular angle bar frameM. It rests on the inwardly extending horizontal flange M of said lowerframe and has full length upwardly facing grooves 26 along its endmargins.

5 The side walls l2 are rectangular and, as' shown in Figure 1, arepositioned in opposed and spaced apart relation. The bottom edges of theside walls rest on the side margins of the bottom wall I l and the endmargins of said side walls fit within the angle bar uprights I6.' Thetop edges of the side walls are rounded and underlie the side portionsof the inwardly extending flange 5 of the upper frame I5. The lowercorners of the side walls are in abutment with the inwardly bentextensions 22 of the clips 22 and serve to hold the extensions in place.In other words, the lower corners of the side walls are so positionedwith respect to the extensions 22 of the clips 22 that such extensionsare locked in place and hence when the container is in its assembledposition the clips 22 are positively held in place. The upper corners ofthe side walls I2 are in abutment with the inwardly bent extensions 23of the clips 23 as shown in Figure 4 and serve when the container is inits fully assembled position positively to lock said extensions 23 inplace and thus prevent withdrawal or removal of the clips 23. I

The end walls I3 of the container are rectangular and are of slightlyless width than the bottom wall II. The side margins of the end walls I3fit against the transversely extending flanges I6 of the uprights I6 andthe bottom margins of said end walls fit within, and are in interlockedrelation with, the upwardly facing grooves 26 in the end margins of thebottom wall II. As a result of the interlocking connection between thebottom margins of the end walls and the end margins of the bottom wallthe lower portions of the end walls are held against inward displacementwith respect to the frame structure when the container is in itsassembled position. The side edges of the end walls I3 are in abutmentwith the end margins of the side walls I2, as shown in Figure 4, withthe result that when the end walls are in place the side walls arelocked against inward displacement with respect to the frame structureID. The top edges of the end walls I3 are rounded and underlie the endportions of the inwardly extending flange I of the upper frame l5.

In order to lock the side and end walls against upward displacement withrespect to the frame structure after mounting of such walls in place theinner margin of the inwardly extending flange I5 of the rectangularangle bar upper frame I5 is bent downwards into interlocked relationwith the top edges of the side and end walls as shown in Figure 6.Preferably the inner upper corners of the side and end walls arechamfered or beveled as at 21 and the inner edge portions of theinwardly extendingfiange 15 terminate outwards. of the inner faces ofsaid side and end walls. portions of said inwardly extending flange Iiioutwards of the inner faces of the side and end walls a filler of thecrossed partition type (not shown) may be slid into place within thecontainer without interference from the flange I5 of the upper frame I5.If desired the upper portions of the end walls I3 are provided with handholes 28 in order that the container may be readily gripped inconnection with transportation thereof In assembling the container theframe structure I0 is assembled as hereinafter described. Thereafter thebottom wall I I is positioned within the frame structure and manipulatedso that the margins thereof rest on the inwardly ex tending flange M ofthe rectangular angle bar lower frame I4. After proper positioning ofthe bottom wall the side walls are shifted into place by positioning thebottom edges on the side margins of the bottom wall and then swingingthe side walls outwards so as to bring the end margins thereof intoplace within the angle bar uprights I 6. After shift into place of theside walls the end walls are manipulated into place by inserting thebottom margins thereof into the grooves 26 in the end margins of thebottom wall II. After insertion of the bottom margins of the end wallsinto the grooves the end walls are swung outwards so as to bring theirside margins against the transversely extending flanges I6 of theuprights I6. After By having the inner edge to lock said extensions inplace. I

. 6 mounting or positioning of the side and end walls in place the innermargin of the inwardly extending flange I 5 of the rectangular angle barupper The herein described container is essentially simple in design andhence may be manufactured or produced at a comparatively low cost. It isextremely durable because it includes the rigid unitary frame structureI0 and is characterized by the fact that the corners of the side wallsserve positivelyto lock the inwardlybent exten- The container is sionsof the clips in place. further characterized by the fact that theendwalls, due to the interlocking connections ad-' jacent their bottommargins, serve when :in place to hold the side walls againstinward'displacement with respect to the frame structure, Because of itsspecific design and construction the container effectively andefficiently fulfills its intended purpose and is capable of beingshipped to the user in knocked down form.

The invention is not to be understood as restricted to the details setforth since these may be modified within the scope of the appendedclaims without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is: a

1. As a new article of manufacture, a container comprising a box-likeframe'structure in the form of a rectangular angle bar lower framehaving an inwardly extending flange and in addition an upwardlyextending flange with an 'outstruck rib therearound, a complementalrectangular upper frame spaced above the lower frame and having adownwardly extending flange with an outstruck rib therearound, aplurality of angle bar uprights adapted to support the frames in spacedrelation and having the lower ends thereof fitting within the cornerportions of the upwardly extending flange of the'lower frame and theirupper ends fitting within the corner portions of the downwardly xtendingflange of the upper frame. a plurality of right angle attachin clamps'ofsubstantially the same thickness as the ribs, extending-around andfitting against said corner portions, respectively, positioned in sideby side and abutting relation-with the corner portions of the ribs andhaving at the 'ends thereof extensions extending through alignedapertures in saidcorner portions and the ends of the uprights and bentover for interlocking purposes, a bottom wall disposed within the framestructure andhaving the margins thereof overlying the inwardly ex--tending flange of the lower frame, a pair of op-' posed complementalside walls disposed in the frame structure and having the bottom marginsthereof positioned in abutment with the side margins of the bottom walland their end margins fitting within the uprights, and a pair of opposedcomplemental end walls disposed in said frame structure and having thebottom margins thereof positioned in abutment with theend margins of thebottom wall and their end margins disposed within said uprights, saidcomplemental walls being arranged so that their end margins are inabutting relation and having certain of the corners thereof positionedin abutment with the bent over extensions of the clips and servingpositively comprising a box-like frame structure in the form of arectangular angle bar lower frame having an inwarly. extending: flangeand in addition an upwardly extending flange with a pair of spaced apartoutstruck ribs therearound, a complemental rectangular angle bar upperframe spaced above the lower frame and embodying a downward1y extendingflange with a pair of spaced apart outstruck ribs therearound, aplurality of angle bar uprights adapted to support the frames in spacedrelation and having the lower ends thereof fitting within the cornerportions of the upwardly extending flange of the lower frame and'theirupper ends fitting within the corner portions of the downwardlyextending flan e. of the upper frame, and a plurality of right angleclips of substantially the same. thickness, s the ribs, extending aroundand fitting against said corner portions, respectively, interposedbetween and in interlocked relation with the ribs, and having at theends thereof extensions extending through aligned apertures in saidcorner portions and the ends of the uprights and bent inwards intoabutment with the inner surfaces of the upright ends for interlockingpurposes, a bottom wall disposed within the frame structure and havingthe margins thereof overlying the. inwardly extending flange of thelower frame, a pair of opposed complemental side walls disposed inthe-frame structure and haV-ingthe bottom margins thereof positioned inabutment with the side margins of the bottom wall and their end marginsfitting within the uprights, and

a pair of opposed complementalend walls disposed in said frame structureand having the bottom margins thereof positioned in abutment with theend margins of the bottom wall and their end marginsdisposed within saiduprights, said complemental wallsbeing arranged so that their endmarginsare in abutting relation and having certain of the corners thereofpositioned in abutment with the bent over extensions of the clips andserving positively to lock said extensions in place. i 1 1 h a 1 l 3. Asa new-article of. manufacture a container comprising a box-lik framestructure in the form of a rectangular angle bar lowerframe with aninwardlyextendingflange and an upwardly extending flange, acomplementalrectangular upper frame-spaced'above the lower frame and embodying a downwardly extending flange, a plurality of angle bar uprightsadapted to support the'frames in'spaced relation and having the lowerends thereof, positioned in abutment with the corner portions of theupwardly extending flange f the lower frame and their upper endspositioned in abutment with the lower corner portions of the downwardlyextending flange of the upper frame, and a-plurality of right angleclips extending around and associated with said corner portions,respectively, and having at theends thereof extensions extending throughaligned apertures in said corner portions and the ends of the uprightsand bent over for interlocking purposes, a bottom wall disposedwithintheframe structure and having the margins thereof overlying the inwardlyextending flange of the lower frame, a pair of opposed complemental sidewalls disposed in the frame structure and havin the bottom marginsthereof positioned in abutment with the side margins of the bottom walland I their end margins fitting within the uprights, and

inwardly extending flange and an upwardly ex tending flange, acomplemental rectangular upper framespaced above the lower frameandembody-. ing a downwardly extending flange, a plurality of angle baruprights adapted tosupport, the frames in spaced relation and having thelower ends. thereof fitting within the corner portions of the upwardlyextending flang s of the lower frame and their upper ends fitting withinthe corner portions of the downwardly extending flange of the upperframe, and a plurality of right angle clips'extending around and fittingagainst said corner portions, respectively, and having at the endsthereof extensions extending through alignedapertures in said cornerportions and the ends of the uprights and bent inwards into abut: mentwith the inner faces of said ends of the liprights, a bottom walldisposed within the frame structure and having the margins thereofrestin upon the inwardly extending flangeof the lower frame, a pair ofopposed complemental side walls disposed in the frame structure andhaving the bottom margins thereof positioned in abutment with the sidemargins of the bottom wall, their end margins fitting within theuprights, and their corners arranged in abutmentwith the inwardly bentextensions of the clips and serving tolock said extensionsin place, anda pair of opposed complemental end walls disposedin said framepositioned in abutment with the end margins of the bottom wall and theirend edges. in abutment with said end margins of the sidewalls.

5. As a new article of manufacture a container comprising a boxelikeframe structure in, the form of a rectangular angle bar lower frame withan inwardly extending flange and anupe wardly extending flange, acomplementalfrecs. tangular angle bar frame structure spaced: above thelower frame and embodying an inwardly (BX-1 tending flange and adownwardly extending flange, a plurality of angle bar uprights adaptedto support the frames in spaced relation and havingthe lower ends,thereof positioned in abut! ment with the corner portions of theupwardly extending flange of the lower frame and the up er endspositioned in abutment with the lower corner portions of the downwardlyextending flange of the upper frame, and a plurality of right angleclips extendingaround and associated with said corner portions,respectively, and having at the ends thereof extensions extendinginwards through aligned apertures in said corner portions and the endsof the uprights and bent over for interlocking v purposes, a' bottomwall disposed within the frame structure and having the margins thereofoverlying the inwardly extending flangeof the lower frame, apair ofopposed complemental sidewalls disposed in the frame structure andhaving the bottom margins thereof positioned in abutment with the sidemargins of the bottom wall and their end margins fitting within theuprights, and a pair of opposed complemental end walls disposed in saidframe structure and having the bottom margins thereof positioned inabutment with the end margins of the bottom wall and their end marginsdisposed adjacent the uprights, said complemental walls being arrangedso that their end margins are in abutting relation and having certain ofthe corners thereof positioned in abutment with the bent over extensionsof the clips and serving positively to lock said extensions in place,the inner portions of the inwardly extending flange of the upper frameextending over and around the top edges of said side and end walls andserving to hold said side and end walls against upward displacement withrespect to the frame structure and also to hold the upper portions ofsaid side and end walls against inward displacement.

6. As a new article of manufacture a container comp i g a box-like framestructure in the form of a rectangular angle bar lower frame with aninwardly extending flange and an upwardly extending flange, acomplemental rectangular angle bar frame structure spaced above thelower frame and embodying an inwardly extending flange and a downwardlyextending flange, a plurality of angle bar uprights adapted to supportthe frames in spaced relation and having the lower ends thereofpositioned in abutment with the corner portions of the upwardlyextending flange of the lower frame and the upper ends positioned inabutment with the lower corner portions of the downwardly extendinflange of the upper frame, and a plurality of right angle clipsextending around and associated with said corner portions, respectively,and having at the ends thereof extensions extending inwards throughaligned apertures in said corner portions and the ends of the uprightsand bent over for interlocking purposes, a bottom wall disposed withinthe frame structure and having the margins thereof overlying theinwardly extending flange of the lower frame, a pair of opposedcomplemental side walls disposed in the frame structure having thebottom edges thereof resting onthe side margins of the bottom wall,their end margins fitting within the uprights and their corners arrangedin abutment with the extensions of the clips and serving to lock saidextensions in place, and a pair of opposed complemental end wallsdisposed in 'said frame structure, having the end edges thereof fittingwithin the uprights and flatly against the end margins of the sidewalls, and also having their bottom margins fitting in, and ininterlocked relation with, grooves in the end margins of the bottom wallwhereby their lower portions are held against inward displacementrelatively to the frame structure, the inner portions of the inwardlyextending flange of the upper frame being extended over and around theupper edges of the side and end walls and serving to hold said side andend walls against upward displacement and also to hold the upperportions of said end walls against inward displacement.

7. A box-like frame structure adapted with bottom, side and end walls toform a container and comprising a rectangular angle bar lower frameembodying an inwardly extending flange and an upwardly extending flange,formed of a single strip of stamped sheet metal, and having the endsthereof terminating at one of its corners, a complemental rectangularangle bar upper frame spaced above the lower frame, embodying aninwardly extending flange and a downwardly extending flange, formed of asingle strip of stamped sheet metal, and having its ends terminatingadjacent one of its corners and disposed diagonally opposite the ends ofthe lower frame, a plurality of angle bar stamped sheet metal uprightsadapted to support the frames in spaced relation and having the lowerends thereof fitting within the corner portions of the upwardlyextending flange of the lower frame and their upper ends fitting withinthe corner portions of the downwardly extending flange of the upperframe, and a plurality of right angle clips extending around and fittingagainst said corner portions, respectively, and having at the endsthereof extensions extending through aligned apertures in said cornerportions and the ends of the uprights and bent over for interlockingpurposes.

8. As a new article of manufacture, a container comprising a box-likeframe structure in the form of a rectangular angle bar lower framehaving an inwardly extending flange and in addition an upwardlyextending flange with a pair of outstruck parallel ribs extendingtherearound, a complemental rectangular upper frame spaced above thelower frame and having a downwardly extending flange with a pair ofoutstruck parallel ribs extending therearound, a plurality of angle baruprights adapted to support the frames in spaced relation and having thelower ends thereof fitting within the corner portions of the upwardlyextending flange of the lower frame and their upper ends fitting withinthe corner portions of the downwardly extending flange of the upperframe, a plurality of right angle attaching clips extending around andfitting against said corner portions, respectively, positioned in sideby side and abutting relation with the corner portions of the ribs andhaving at the end thereof extensions extending through aligned aperturesin said corner portions and the ends of the uprights and bent over forinterlocking purposes, a bottom wall disposed within the frame structureand having the margins thereof overlying the inwardly extending flangeof the lower frame, a pair of opposed complemental side walls disposedin the frame structure and having the bottom margins thereof positionedin abutment with the side margins of the bottom wall and their endmargins fitting within the uprights, and a pair of opposed complementalend walls disposed in said frame structure and having the bottom marginsthereof positioned in abutment with the end margins of the bottom walland their end margins disposed within said uprights, said complementalwalls being arranged so that their end margins are in abutting relationand having certain of the corners thereof positioned in abutment withthe bent over extensions of the clips and serving positively to locksaid extensions in place.

JAMES E. WILSON.

